Life is Beautiful…

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in (our) hearts… no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.” Eccl. 3:11

The movie, ‘Life is Beautiful’, is one of the most outstanding movies of all times, in my opinion. It is a story that centres around one of the most tragic events in history, yet communicates an inspiring message of resilience, hope and courage.

Guido, the main character, had every reason to lose hope and give up on life, if it’s circumstantial evidence we’re looking for. But, what I love about him is the way he sacrifices his own heart for his son’s freedom. In spite of the fact that he knows his life is in danger, he constantly gives his son hope, shielding him from the worst of it.

I’m not saying we should deceive our children, and make things sound better than they are, as Guido does, but there is strength in seeing the world as it should be, not as it is. There is also strength in saying, “I am willing to carry the brunt of a negative situation to protect my kids”, or “I will stand in the gap for my kids.” There is honour in showing them how to see the world through the eyes of hope and teaching them to believe for a better life than we might have had.

At the end of the movie, Guido’s dream for his son’s freedom comes true, as does his son’s dream, but it has cost Guido everything. It is bittersweet, but even the tragedy has redemption written all over it.

We all have pain in our lives. For many of us, the deepest hurts have come from our birth homes—maybe from parents or older siblings. Most of us will struggle against repeating the cycle of dysfunction when we become parents, or maybe even in our marriage relationships.

When faced with the past through our own behaviours, we have to ask ourselves the hard questions. What price am I willing to pay for the next generation? Will I stand in the gap for my kids? Will I face the truth of my experience with strength and resilience, while giving my kids the best I can? Will I face my grief and disappointment with courage so that they have a better legacy?

When it’s all said and done, will our kids know we fought for them? Will they say that we helped them see that life is beautiful, even in hard times? Will they see our faith in God and in His promise to make all things beautiful in his time? Or will they be the generation that has to stand in the gap for the next, because we failed to rise to the challenge?